After having your first child, you might think that having a second successful pregnancy will be easy. However, that’s not always true, and you are not alone.
Secondary infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or carry a baby to term after previously giving birth. And it affects millions of parents, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Even though you already have a child, secondary infertility can still be painful. We understand that what you’d like your family to be is unique — whether that’s one child, two children, or more.
We’ll work with you to make that goal a reality.
Causes of Secondary Infertility
There are several factors that can contribute to secondary infertility in women and men including:
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Advanced maternal age (age 35 and older)
- Impaired sperm production or low-sperm count
- Damaged fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
- Uterine conditions
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Excessive weight gain in both men and women
- Lifestyle factors including smoking and heavy alcohol use
- Certain medications
Secondary infertility — just like primary infertility — can be diagnosed as unexplained. About 1 in 5 cases of secondary infertility are identified as unexplained.
Testing for Secondary Infertility
Diagnostic procedures for secondary infertility are the similar to those used for primary infertility.
Learn more about the diagnostic options available at Penn Fertility Care, here.
Treatment for Secondary Infertility
Treatments for secondary infertility are similar to those offered for primary infertility. Our fertility specialists will work with you to determine which of the following options is best:
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Oral or injectable fertility medications, which make your ovarian follicles trigger the release of more eggs in a single reproductive cycle.
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI), during which sperm is placed inside the uterus to promote fertilization. IUI can increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes, which increases the likelihood of successful fertilization.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF), which involves combining egg and sperm outside the body.
Learn more about fertility treatments and assisted reproductive technologies offered at Penn.